Road rules and safety - Portugal

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The use of seat belts and child restraint systems is MANDATORY (Directive 91/671/EEC as amended).

Exemptions for:

  • coaches and buses where standing passengers are allowed.

Red means 'Stop'; you must not go beyond the traffic light.

When red and amber show together, this also means 'Stop', but indicates that the lights are about to change to green.

Green means you may proceed, provided you can clear the intersection during the green phase and your entering the intersection does not pose any danger to other road users.

Amber means ‘Stop’. Only if you are already so close to the traffic light that stopping would mean having to brake hard may you go on when the amber light appears; amber also indicates that the signal is about to turn to red.

A green arrow under a red light: this means that you may turn off in the direction indicated by the arrow, provided that you first stop at the light before proceeding without hindering other road users who have a green light.

Motorcycles
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans with trailers
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Heavy goods vehicles
over 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Buses

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways
0,5 g/l

Standard drivers

0,2 g/l

Novice drivers

0,2 g/l

Professional drivers

Forbidden drugs

THC (cannabis)

Methylamphetamine

MDMA (ecstasy)

Other forbidden drugs include opiates, their derivates and cocaine.

No information

Bicycles
Mopeds
Motorcycles with/without a sidecar
Light and heavy tricycles
Light and heavy quadricycles
Drivers may not use their mobile phone without a hand-free set
Drivers may use their mobile phone with a hand-free set
Safety equipment for carsReflective vest
Warning triangle

Disclaimer

This content on road safety and traffic rules is provided by the national authorities according to Article 8(1) of Directive (EU) 2015/413/EU. The European Commission does not assume liability for this content or its accuracy. For the most accurate and up-to-date information check national websites, where you can also find information on other national rules covering time-based charges (vignettes), emission stickers and road tolls.

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Road rules and safety

Last checked: 12/06/2023
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